Elfego El Gato
Single-Sixer
OK, as some of you may remember, a couple of months ago I bought my first collectable rifle, an Arisaka Type 99, Series 30. Now, I'm trying to figure out just how to develop the collection that Arisaka is going to be the lead-off rifle in. Let me explain...
First, a little background -- Arisaka rifles were produced in a number of arsenals. The Series 30 mentioned above indicates that my rifle was in the first series produced by the Toyo Kogyo arsenal. There were a total of ten series produced at each arsenal, in the case of Toyo Kogyo those would be series 30 through 39. The later series are often called "last ditch" rifles, due to their poor quality.
So, I would collect one rifle from each of the series made at Toyo Kogyo, each of which had some variation from the previous series. This would be a total collection of ten rifles. This collection could be very interesting and would also be cost effective, as all of the rifles would shoot the same ammo. (Yes, I shoot *all* my rifles, including the collectable ones!)
And, just to make it even more interesting, I'm thinking that I'll try to collect the various series in chronological order: Series 30, then Series 31, then Series 32, etc., etc.
Another thing that could be fun: Each of these rifles would have an appropriate bayonet to seek out, as well. Type 30 bayonets came in a number of variations and were made by many different arsenals, but not Toyo Kogyo. So, I'd have to determine the most correct bayonet for each rifle and find it. It would be a combination of research, guessing, and treasure hunting. Sounds like an interesting way to go, don't ya think?
Oh, and each of these rifles will also have appropriate accessories that go along with them, from slings to muzzle covers to oil cans. Including these, these ten rifles could end up being a lifelong hobby of searching and collecting!
What do you think? Does it sound like a plan? I'd really like to hear from the more experienced collectors how *you've* gone about developing your collections. Thanks!
First, a little background -- Arisaka rifles were produced in a number of arsenals. The Series 30 mentioned above indicates that my rifle was in the first series produced by the Toyo Kogyo arsenal. There were a total of ten series produced at each arsenal, in the case of Toyo Kogyo those would be series 30 through 39. The later series are often called "last ditch" rifles, due to their poor quality.
So, I would collect one rifle from each of the series made at Toyo Kogyo, each of which had some variation from the previous series. This would be a total collection of ten rifles. This collection could be very interesting and would also be cost effective, as all of the rifles would shoot the same ammo. (Yes, I shoot *all* my rifles, including the collectable ones!)
And, just to make it even more interesting, I'm thinking that I'll try to collect the various series in chronological order: Series 30, then Series 31, then Series 32, etc., etc.
Another thing that could be fun: Each of these rifles would have an appropriate bayonet to seek out, as well. Type 30 bayonets came in a number of variations and were made by many different arsenals, but not Toyo Kogyo. So, I'd have to determine the most correct bayonet for each rifle and find it. It would be a combination of research, guessing, and treasure hunting. Sounds like an interesting way to go, don't ya think?
Oh, and each of these rifles will also have appropriate accessories that go along with them, from slings to muzzle covers to oil cans. Including these, these ten rifles could end up being a lifelong hobby of searching and collecting!
What do you think? Does it sound like a plan? I'd really like to hear from the more experienced collectors how *you've* gone about developing your collections. Thanks!